hi all, new xj700x owner

Just dropping by to say hello. Since yesterday I'm the proud owner of a '85 XJ700X
It needs a bit of maintenance, because it's been standing in a garage for about 4-5 months, but it did ran and I was able to ride it home.
Next couple of days I'll be fixing the idle speed issue and probably some carb cleaning as well, and just a general check of the bike before taking it out for a real trip.

 

The nearly 30-year old brakes will need attention before you start doing any real riding.

 

Thanks for the heads-up!
Are you refering to the rear brake? Because the front ones are easily checked.

 

Fitz is referring to all of the brakes. You can easily check the front pads, but what you can't see is how deteriorated the inside of the brake lines are, or how much crud is gunking up the inside of the calipers and master cylinder. The entire break system should be rebuilt on any used bike that is more than 4 years old. Stopping safely is the first priority.

 

yes and rear brake shoes are infamous for delaminating and separating from their metal base. this can lock up your rear wheel and cause a nasty wreck. ALSO you want to look on your tires for the DOT code. there is a date code at the end of it. it will tell you how old your tires are. if they are over 6 years old i believe it is. they need to be replaced. and on a final note! welcome to the family! you have lots of enjoyment ahead of you! AND we need pictures! we are kind of porn addicts around here. everyone would love to see your machine.

 

darthraider,

Welcome to the club.

Gary

 

Thanks all
The tires are pretty new. The previous owner had just installed them, they even got those 'things' on the sides of the tires because the tires havent seen many corners yet.

I found the information on the rear brake and its infamous delamination issue. I'll be looking at that as soon as i get some more tools at home, which should be in about 2-3 days.
After a small trip around town and a closer look on the front brakes, I've decided that those will be replaced/rebuild/revised entirely next week. Better safe than sorry and they'll need new braking pads in about 2-3 month s anyway.

I'll make some pictures next week if the weather clears up around here. So far, it's all rainy the last few days. Another good reason to stay inside and do some maintenance

 

Please don't post any pornography, and disregard the new guy on that one... Pictures of your bike, on the other hand, are always appreciated. I certainly only opened this thread because I hoped there was a picture.

 

I'll post one in a few days

 

Again, thanks! Yesterday I completely disassembled the front braking system, and yes, that was not OK.
The text on the braking lines is no longer readable, so no way of knowing how old they are. They will be replaced.
The piston caliper was very dirty, even inside. Color of the brake fluid was some kind of black-ish.
Braking pads (2 of 4) are also in need of replacement, so I'll be replacing both sets.

So yes, that was seriously needed

 

I trust you're going to love that bike….Welcome!
As already stated, you are in the right place as there is a ton of knowledge and almost a ton of expertise here to learn from.

 

Get yourself a YAMAHA Factory Workshop Manual.
The Factory Book comprises the Workshop Manual -and- Ownners Manual.
Go-over the Maintenance Schedule.
Attend to each item before you do any major outing.

With attention to details and some intensive fine-tuning; you'll be able to show most of the other bikers you'll encounter how bright your Brake Light is when it comes on. It's fun being the first guy to the next red light.

 

I'm working on a front brake overhaul on the X (slowly) and I ran into one SLIGHT problem with the factory manual.

Bear in mind that the X has dual-piston calipers, like your 900. You can blow one piston out of its bore, but not both -- and the procedure the book details for removing the second piston just plain flat out does not work.

I ended up doing what Hogfiddles did, which is what the book explicitly says NOT to do -- unbolt the two halves of the caliper, block off the fluid transfer passages, and blow the second piston out that way. The more you know...

 

Next time, ... put a Socket inside the Piston that moves and hold it from moving with a C-clamp.

That will force the one that's not moving to become unstuck.

 

Here's the factory manual procedure:

---------

1) Using a rag, lock the right side piston.

2) Blow compressed air into the hose joint opening to force out the left side piston from the caliper body.

3) Remove the dust and piston seals and reinstall the piston.

4) Repeat previous step to force out the right side piston from the caliper body.

-----------

(emphasis mine)

Step 3 is where the problem lies; when one reinserts the piston, the air blows around the piston and forces it back out. Holding the piston in place with anything, much less a socket (or a piece of flat stock, as I did) does nothing. Suggestions for getting around that would be welcomed.

As for next time... I still haven't unbolted the second caliper yet. (I'm doing a walkthrough for Len. Documenting the steps and writing everything up takes time -- and your suggestions for dealing with the second piston might end up in this writeup!)

 

Welcome to the club. I would do more maintenance before doing to much riding.

 

Welcome ... with the help of this site, your going to really enjoy your ride

 

I got the owner manual and the service manual before I even got the bike :roll:

Both calipers have been rebuilt yesterday, new pads, new seals, cleaned the pistons (they were terrible). The local dealer was able to make new stainless steel braking hoses.
This morning I was able to air bleed the reinstalled parts (took me quite some time). And now the front brakes work smooth and nice.

Installed an extra cable for the battery charger this afternoon. Battery was in good shape, which actually surprised me.

Next stop: removing the rear wheel, checking the rear brake and replacing both tires (one has a dot code '1000'!)

There is one problem though, it's getting addictive

 

Psssst!! Hey buddy, I know a guy that can get just about anything you need :wink: :wink: . He goes by the handle Chacal on the street 8) , but you can find him hanging out at the top right of the forum 24/7 :roll: .
When you see him just say XJ Bikes said to sell you the good stuff! :twisted: :twisted:

 

Hi there, this xj site is wonderful. I am new to motorcycles and these guys are a wealth of knowledge.

 

If there's enough of a Shadow at the end of the Piston, you can grab the Piston with Channel-Locks and persuade it out.

The Tool Marks will be far enough away,, at the edge of the Piston, from the Caliper Seal not to be a problem.

 

Welcome, I have an 86 700 Maxim X. It is a special bike.

 

So I removed the rear wheel, which was easier than I expected. And I took a picture shortly after that. So for all you addicts:

As soon as I can get it riding again, I'll make a decent picture. When things are polished and clean

 

Very clean looking ride. I have always liked the gauge units on those.

 

Oh golly is that clean!

How many miles are NOT on that bike?

 

Treat yourself to a Workshop Manual and a set of Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) Screwdrivers.

Get a Yamaha Factory Book.
It's the best Workshop Reference for the Max-X.

The Screwdrivers are a MUST for Maintenance especially when it comes too Carb Cleaning.
You're begging for trouble using Screwdrivers that don't fit Carb Components (especially JETS).

 

Thanks for sharing the photo - great looking bike! It looks like an 1986 to me however; judging by the paint scheme, the fuel tank emblem and the 'two-toned' oil pump cover. For the '85 (700XN) you'll find 1AA in the V.I.N. and for the '86 (700XS) you'll find 1NW in the V.I.N (for US, non-california models that is).

From one new member to another - welcome and enjoy the forum!

PS; it seems like there are several active XJ700X owners in the Netherlands
http://www.maxim-x.com/pictures.html

 

It is indeed a '86. It's got 1NW in the VIN and G for the year, so yes, you are correct